Boilermakers follow quarterback Marve's lead in victory

Saturday was a must win to keep Purdue's dream of reaching another bowl game.

Thanks to Robert Marve, the Boilermakers face another must this week at Illinois. The sixth-year quarterback was nearly flawless Saturday, completing 25 of 33 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns.

"It was a great performance," coach Danny Hope said. "He has a fantastic arm. He's a tough guy and a fighter. That's what we need on our football team right now. We've got to keep swinging."

Purdue never trailed and held a pair of 10-point leads before Paul Griggs kicked the game-winning 46-yard field goal as time expired. But Marve was there to set up Griggs, scrambling for 17 yards and hitting Antavian Edison on a 20-yard pass.

"He was the general out there, directing people," running back Akeem Shavers said. "You wouldn't think a guy with three ACLs could do something like that. You can't sleep on him."

Marve was emotional afterward, but said the season is far from over.

"We've got to win the next two," he said. "That's what I kept talking about, momentum, so hopefully this is the momentum we need."

- Mike Carmin/mcarmin@jconline.com

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Boilermakers follow quarterback Marve's lead in victory

Saturday was a must win to keep Purdue's dream of reaching another bowl game. Thanks to Robert Marve, the Boilermakers face another must this week at Illinois.